Fast Forward Friday with Jennifer Manocherian
For this week’s Fast Forward Friday, we interviewed Jennifer Manocherian.
Almost as many careers as a cat has lives, Jennifer is a novelist, screenwriter & producer, screenwriting teacher, musical book writer, theatre producer, divorce mediator, family therapist, public relations specialist - and throughout wife & mother. One husband, five children, 15 grandchildren, two cats and two dogs.
What is your latest creative endeavor? Tell us about it.
I wrote a novel, Alpha Bette, available on all online websites. It takes places over the course of one day when Bette, a tough 95 year old widow, wakes up one morning and decides to give a dinner party that night for her nearest and dearest and no one knows why. The story is told through the multiple points of view of her guests - her daughter, great-granddaughter, housekeeper, night aide, two neighbors in her UWS building, and a medium.
What was the inspiration for it?
I can’t say that there was a particular ah-ha moment. The idea formed gradually as I was writing short stories in a writing group and, at some point, decided to take a stab at weaving all the different characters into a novel. Had it not been for the pandemic and the time is afforded me to write when theatre shut down and my office closed, I doubt it ever would have happened.
What other projects would you like to tell us about?
This year, I produced a feature film based on a book I optioned in 2014. I adapted it myself and after endless drafts, tested with table reads, I found a producer. Together, we lucked out on a fabulous director. We plan to go the festival route in 2024. The title is Boundary Waters, and it’s a coming-of-age story of a twelve-year-old boy whose family is changed by something that happens to his mother – but she won’t say what it is. It’s basically about the impact of trauma on a family and the community, as well as the fallout of a secret. I am also working on a musical series for streaming with composer Dan Martin, lyricist Michael Biello, and director Bill Castellino. And I have a few private screenwriting students.
In this current time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, what do you believe your role is in this moment?
On a personal level, I am really concerned about the future world my grandchildren (15) will inherit, and I am involved in a nonprofit, 18byvote.org. whose aim is to get young people to register and vote. Another nonprofit on whose board I serve, thepeacestudio.org, supports artists of all kinds of media whose work spreads messages of peace and hope within their communities.
Who are some of the people, artistic and otherwise, who inspire you and have had an impact on you?
I admire people who live fully with their principles - people who live green in a world where climate change is here. Who compost garbage, drive electric cars, etc. It is easier said than done.
What keeps you motivated and inspired as an artist?
Writing is in my DNA. It’s how I organize my thoughts. I see stories everywhere. I don’t need to be motivated – I am always motivated.
What is one instance of knowing you are living in your vision?
That’s a tough one because I don’t know if I have a vision per se. I believe that life is an adventure and it’s up to us to make it happen. I wrote a book in my 80s and getting good reviews from strangers has been rewarding/affirming.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
I’m not sure how it was articulated, but my mother felt that no one other than yourself cares that much about what you do. It wasn’t said as self pity or resentment, just a fact. And it has helped me a lot to lower my expectations of other people’s (mainly family) interest. For example, many years ago, when I was a divorce mediator, I co-wrote a chapter on divorce in a family therapy textbook. It involved a great deal of research and took time. I would be shocked if anyone in my family read it.
What do you do to stay connected to your creative self?
I surround myself with a community of writers and friends who share my interests.
If you could let go of something that holds you back, what would it be?
For a time, it was my age, questioning why I was starting projects when I was old and could die. But I moved past that – I hope to die doing what I love doing.
What do you do when you feel like giving up?
I tread water, hoping that my creative juices will return. It’s hard to force the process. It has happened to me at different times in my life, and I know it will come back. One time, when that happened, I started a short-lived dog sweater business. I am not good at being idle.
What surprised you most when you first became a working artist?
When I first started producing, I hadn’t factored in the ways it would affect my family life. I had very romantic notions about it – the glitz and glamour. But my husband had no interest at all in theatre. At times, I had to be OOT for a spell, and I lived with enormous guilt and conflict. I chose to rejuggle my priorities and downsize my ambition.
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Driven.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting out?
It’s hard to give a blanket answer to that – it depends on starting out what. Two things come to mind. Study and learn your craft – craft matters. And be a team player.
What is your idea of success?
Success to me is knowing that what I have done has merit, whether it’s helping someone or doing something creative I can be proud of. Most of all, it’s knowing that all my children are good, ethical, empathetic, charitable people.
What is your idea of happiness?
My happiness comes from everyday, mundane things – waking up with my cat curled up and purring next to me, hosting my family on Sundays and seeing everyone getting along, watching my dog eat peanut butter.
Where can we learn more about you and your work?
https://jennifermanocherian.net It has links to my social media as well.